# Connelly Early Set for Nationals Debut

> Paul Toboni confirms Connelly Early will debut for Washington Nationals on Sept 26.
- Title: Connelly Early Set for Nationals Debut | Shortify
- Summary: Paul Toboni confirms Connelly Early will debut for Washington Nationals on Sept 26. Washington Nationals pitcher Connelly Early will make his MLB debut on…
- Keywords: connelly early, washington nationals, september 26, new york met, rehab assignment, boston red sox, nats talk, paul toboni, mlb, pitcher, elbow injury, seattle
- Source: Washington Nationals On SI — https://si.com/mlb/nationals/onsi/paul-toboni-reveals-connelly-early-make-nationals-debut
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:32:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: connelly early, washington nationals, september 26, new york met, rehab assignment, boston red sox, nats talk, paul toboni, mlb, pitcher, elbow injury, seattle
## Mystery around Connelly Early's debut
There was a lot of mystery surrounding left-handed pitcher Connelly Early about if or when he would be making his Washington Nationals debut this season.
## Early acquired from Red Sox
When he was acquired in a trade from the Boston Red Sox back on July 26, they knew he was trying to work his way back from elbow inflammation that landed him on the injured list 25 days prior.
## Early's setback
Unfortunately, he suffered a setback. Early felt some forearm tightness, which opened up a whole bunch of new negative scenarios that might have resulted in the talented lefty not pitching again until at least 2028.
## Rehab assignment progress
Since then, the Nationals eased him back into a throwing progression before they sent him out on a rehab assignment.
## Expected debut date
Connelly Early is expected to debut for Nationals on Sept. 26.
## Toboni confirms debut
Per NatsTalk, president of baseball operations Paul Toboni went on Junks Radio and said that Early will pitch on Saturday, Sept. 26.
## Rehab game details
During that outing, the lefty had some struggles. He threw 35 pitches, which seemed to be his limit. That resulted in one inning of work where he gave up three earned runs on two hits with two walks.
## Early's positive performance
However, on the positive side of things, Early recorded two K's and was able to go through his entire arsenal of six pitches.
## Rochester schedule
Rochester's season comes to a close on Sept. 20, which is when Early could pitch again since that would be five days after he threw on Tuesday.
## Debut preparation
That would then give him six days of rest before he's expected to start on Sept. 26. That might be how the Nationals decide to operate so they can make sure their prized left-hander is ready for his team debut at the big league level.
## Key takeaway

Washington Nationals pitcher Connelly Early will make his MLB debut on September 26 against the New York Mets after rehab assignments.